Emil "Shorty" Beals (93) of Effingham

Emil “Shorty” Beals, 93, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Effingham American Legion or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Shorty was born May 13, 1930, in Effingham County, the son of Preston and Emma (Ashenbremer) Beals. He married Earna Lee Campbell on May 17, 1952. Shorty served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. He worked for the railroad in Champaign for 8 years before transferring over to the Illinois Department of Transportation, where he worked for many years as a Certified Senior Engineering Technician. Over his working career, Shorty was very inventive, and his contributions stood out. Shorty was an active member of the First Christian Church, serving as an Elder and on the board. He was a Past Commander of the Sigel American Legion, and a current member of the Effingham American Legion. Shorty enjoyed fishing when he was younger. He also enjoyed gardening. Shorty was known to be a great mushroom hunter, selling much of what he found. Most importantly, Shorty was a good husband and father. He was generous and kind, and always had a smile.

Shorty is survived by his wife, Lee; daughters, Debbie (Michael) Borries and Michele (Brent) Vonderheide; grandchildren, Wendy Newburgh, Jacob (Jennifer) Borries, Seth Vonderheide, Jeremiah Vonderheide, Jordan Beals, and Allison (Erik) Ostrowski; great-grandchildren, Austin McCoy, Brooke (Aaron) Stevens, Brenden McCoy, Matrim Grant, Temperance Grant, Emilia Ostrowski, and Max Ostrowski; great-great-grandchildren, Logan Stevens and Julian Stevens; brother, Ralph J. Beals; and sister, Frances Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Scott Alan Beals; 2 brothers, and 2 sisters.